Firefighter Noel McKee, from the Whitla Fire Station, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has managed to raise a staggering £31,000 in the past two years for a variety of local charities.

In 2010 alone, Noel and Whitla Fire Station raised £21,000 through a number of fundraising activities held throughout the year. Three local charities; NI Cancer Fund for Children, Cruse Bereavement Care and Mindwise Mental Health, each received £7,000.

The money was raised from a number of ventures including spin cycles, sponsored swims, a community day in Whitehead and a sponsored cycle from Cushendall to Carrickfergus.

In 2011 so far almost £11,000 has been raised for Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke. The fundraising events that have been organised by Noel have been supported by numerous personnel from across the NIFRS and include the Station to Station Charity Cycle in May, several relay teams competing in the Belfast Marathon and spin cycles along with several other activities.

During the Fundraising events thousands of fire safety leaflets have been distributed to members of the public, with the support and generosity of NIFRS staff and the public helping to make each event organised a tremendous success.